School design plans ignore traffic issues

I read the April 15 story, “Crews break ground on new CCSD school in Henderson.” Along with the Henderson site, a number of other sites are also being readied as part of a $4.1 billion district plan to build future schools. But why don’t the plans for schools built near residential communities include provisions for mass pick-ups during dismissals?

I live in Southern Highlands. Three elementary schools, one middle school and a high school — all fairly new — are within a five-mile radius, meaning school zones almost overlap. Around dismissal time, streets and alleyways surrounding the schools are backed up for blocks with vehicles of all sizes, even though both sides of said roadways are marked “No Parking Anytime.”

It is already taxing to slow down even more when those yellow lights are blinking, but getting through these “street parking lots” is an ordeal — dodging open street-side doors of double-parked cars only adds to an already unpleasant experience.

I would think district officials would consider these “quality of life” issues in their design plans for new schools. Why situations like these are not addressed is anybody’s guess.

Dan Desiderio

Las Vegas

Chamber’s business

In response to Steve Sebelius’s April 17 column, which highlighted legislative endorsements made by the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce:

Mr. Sebelius noted that legislators on both sides of the tax compromise in the 2015 Legislature received endorsements. While that is indeed correct, it begs the question of why a business organization would support candidates who voted for tax increases.

The reason is that our state needed significant K-12 reform (as well as a UNLV School of Medicine) and bringing about that significant change requires not only the right policies and accountability, but also a means to pay for them. As the column pointed out, the Chamber is neither “pro-tax” nor “anti-tax” — it is “pro-business.” And businesses need an educated and talented work force to compete.

Ensuring an environment in which businesses can grow, thrive and create jobs is the core mission of the Chamber. As has been the case throughout its 100-plus years of existence, it is the job of the Chamber to evaluate public policies and determine whether or not they will support job creation, advance our economy and adequately protect businesses — while always advocating for sufficient accountability measures if there is spending involved.

Of particular importance during the 2015 Legislature was passing K-12 education reforms to boost student achievement and enhance the quality of our work force, an essential element to attracting and retaining employers. We supported the governor’s programs because education reform was so badly needed and because there were accountability provisions attached to the reforms and spending. The Chamber did not support the original proposal to pay for the reforms because of its uncertain impacts.

We did, however, support the final compromise because it contained mitigating measures that protected small businesses and broadened the tax base to lessen what has been a burden exclusively on Nevada employers. The final plan also ensured greater levels of accountability and transparency, which were essential factors of the Chamber’s support.

The upcoming primary and general elections are critically important to the future of our state. The Chamber takes its endorsement process seriously. We evaluate an incumbent candidate’s voting record on a host of priorities and test, through a comprehensive interview process, a candidate’s understanding of and approach to business-related issues. The decision whether or not to endorse takes much more into consideration than a singular vote.

John Guedry

Hugh Anderson

Las Vegas

Mr. Guedry is chairman of the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Anderson is chairman of the group’s Government Affairs Committee.